Portsmouth transfer news: Major update emerges on Rob Atkinson return
Portsmouth sporting director Richard Hughes recently sat down with the BBC to issue an update on the plans for the future.
One of the questions that came up was the future of defender Rob Atkinson who arrived on loan from Bristol City.
Since his move, he has been a regular for the Fratton Park outfit and has been a standout performer for John Mousinho’s side.
Hughes confirms talks will be held over Atkinson’s future
As the 26-year-old is still a Bristol City player, Hughes did not want to disrespect them by speaking about him.
Their season is yet to be completed as they’re in the play-offs, aiming to become a Premier League side next season.
A lot will hinge on whether or not they become a top-flight club next season, so nobody at Pompey is being commital about making a move for the English centre-back.
| League stats (2024-25) | Rob Atkinson |
| Games played | 14 |
| Minutes played | 1101 |
| Pass accuracy | 76.8% |
| Aerial duels won per 90′ | 4.6 |
Discussing Atkinson’s return, he said: “Have we loved having Rob? Yes, he’s been brilliant. Did he make a big impact? Yes, abosolutely.
“Is he Bristol City’s player? Yes, he is. We’ll always be respectful of that, especially with them being in the play-offs. They’ve got to finish off their season.
“There’s a few unknowns as to what division they’ll be in. Probably let their season come to a natural conclusion and then there’s a conversation to be had as to whether something works for everyone.”
Portsmouth do seem interested in Atkinson’s transfer
Portsmouth’s interest in securing Atkinson permanently is evident from sporting director Hughes’ recent BBC interview.
He praised the defender’s significant impact during his loan from Bristol City, where the 26-year-old has been a standout for John Mousinho’s side at Fratton Park.
While Hughes remained respectful of Bristol City, who are still in the play-offs, his comments suggest a strong desire to negotiate a permanent deal once their season concludes.
If Bristol achieve promotion to the Premier League, they may prioritise players with top-flight experience, potentially making Atkinson, a Championship regular, more attainable for Portsmouth.
Conversely, if Bristol City remain in the Championship, Atkinson’s preference for consistent playing time could still favor a move to Pompey, where he has thrived.
Hughes’ cautious optimism about future talks indicates that Portsmouth are keen to explore a deal that suits all parties, with Atkinson’s future likely hinging on Bristol City’s divisional status and his own ambitions.
Either way, Mousinho’s side appears well-positioned to pursue a permanent transfer, capitalising on the Englishman’s successful stint and their clear admiration for his contributions.